Iceland Travel Guide

Top Destinations in Iceland

• Reykjavik

Iceland Popular Destinations

The vast, beautiful landscape in Iceland lends itself to innumerable outdoors activities. Visitors to Reykjavík will find themselves within close proximity to nature.

Outdoor excursions - sports such as kayaking and white water rafting are not original to Iceland, but naturally performed. Also look out for opportunities for horse riding. river rafting, whale watching, salmon and trout fishing, sea angling, glacier trips and unforgettable 4 x 4 expeditions.

The Blue Lagoon - probably the most recognizable feature of what Iceland has to offer visitors. This beautiful resort is located midway between the Leif Eriksson International Airport and the city of Reykjavik. The water in the Blue Lagoon is very mineral-rich and offers a calming and therapeutic experience to the weary traveller.

Reykjavik city - it offers historical sites, natural beauty, museums and galleries, public parks, excellent shopping, a wide range of leisure activities, hotels, restaurants and a remarkably lively artistic scene. There are many theatres and galleries and one can go to symphony concerts, the ballet or opera.

Bright Summer nights in Reykjavik - in the month of June the sun never fully sets in the north. To experience this in its fullness, there are special excursions to the island of Grímsey on the Arctic Circle where you can experience the midnight sun.

Moving Around Iceland

Getting around in Iceland is easy during the summer but can be difficult during winter. The domestic airlines provide the only reliable form of transport in the winter when snow and ice prohibit most overland travel.

Flights - Iceland is only about a 3-hour flight from most European cities and 5 hours from the North American Eastern seaboard. From Reykjavík you can fly to many towns and tourist attractions around the country, such as Akureyri, the capital of the north, with its beautiful surrounding scenery, or the Westman Islands.

Buses - There is an efficient bus system in Reykjavík, but no train system. There is an extensive bus service to most parts of the country and to the highlands, as well as a large number of organized bus tours.

Taxis - Taxis are readily available in Reykjavik and in the larger towns.

Car rental - Local and international car rental companies operate throughout Iceland. Cars can be booked through a travel agent or an airline, at airports or directly after arrival in Iceland. Getting around in Iceland is easy during the summer but can be difficult during winter. The domestic airlines provide the only reliable form of transport in the winter when snow and ice prohibit most overland travel.

Flights - Iceland is only about a 3-hour flight from most European cities and 5 hours from the North American Eastern seaboard. From Reykjavík you can fly to many towns and tourist attractions around the country, such as Akureyri, the capital of the north, with its beautiful surrounding scenery, or the Westman Islands.

Buses - There is an efficient bus system in Reykjavík, but no train system. There is an extensive bus service to most parts of the country and to the highlands, as well as a large number of organized bus tours.

Taxis - Taxis are readily available in Reykjavik and in the larger towns.

Car rental - Local and international car rental companies operate throughout Iceland. Cars can be booked through a travel agent or an airline, at airports or directly after arrival in Iceland.

Iceland Festivals

The popular nationwide festivals of the year are:

Independence Day - 17 June with colorful parades, street music and dancing and outdoor theatre.
Sjomannadagurinn - first week in June -dedicated to seafarers.
Midsummer -24 June, legend has it that Midsummer Night's dew possesses magical healing powers and that to roll in it naked will cure 19 different health problems;
Sumardagurinn Fyrsti - the third Thursday in April, a carnival-style celebration for the first day of summer.

Among the local festivals are:

Pjodhatic Vestmannaeyjar - August, an earth-shaking event of bonfires, outdoor camping, dancing, singing, eating and getting drunk. Verslunarmannahelgi - August, celebrated with barbecues, horse competitions, camping out, family reunions and excessive alcohol consumption.

Holidays:

New Year´s Eve - February
Festival of the light - April
Reykjavik Art Festival - June
Sailors Independence day - August
Summer Solstice Festival - August
Cultural night - August
Reykjavik Marathon - October
Gay pride - October
Unglist Young Art Festival - October
Reykjavik Jazz Festival, Iceland Airwaves
The popular nationwide festivals of the year are:

Independence Day - 17 June with colorful parades, street music and dancing and outdoor theatre.
Sjomannadagurinn - first week in June -dedicated to seafarers.
Midsummer -24 June, legend has it that Midsummer Night's dew possesses magical healing powers and that to roll in it naked will cure 19 different health problems;
Sumardagurinn Fyrsti - the third Thursday in April, a carnival-style celebration for the first day of summer.

Among the local festivals are:

Pjodhatic Vestmannaeyjar - August, an earth-shaking event of bonfires, outdoor camping, dancing, singing, eating and getting drunk. Verslunarmannahelgi - August, celebrated with barbecues, horse competitions, camping out, family reunions and excessive alcohol consumption.

Holidays:

New Year´s Eve - February
Festival of the light - April
Reykjavik Art Festival - June
Sailors Independence day - August
Summer Solstice Festival - August
Cultural night - August
Reykjavik Marathon - October
Gay pride - October
Unglist Young Art Festival - October
Reykjavik Jazz Festival, Iceland Airwaves